Key Features of Indian Budget 2008-2009 with regards to Senior Citizens

I have found following in the current Budget which according to me will benefit Senior Citizens, Also its important that the Government has started to take note of Elders:

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM):
Under National Rural Health Mission 8,756 primary health centres have been made 24x7.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): 462,000 Associated Social Health Activist have been trained, 177,924 villages have sanitation committees functional and 323 district Hospitals have been taken up for upgradation. Allocation to NRHM has been increased to Rs. 12,050 crore.

National Programme for the Elderly:
1) National Programme for the Elderly to be started in 2008-09 with a Plan outlay of Rs.400 crore.

2) Two National Institutes of Ageing, eight regional centres.

3) A department for geriatric medical care in one medical college/tertiary level hospital in each State to be established during the Eleventh Plan period.

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana:
To be implemented with effect from April 1, 2008; Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme enlarged with effect from November 19, 2007 to include all persons over 65 years falling under the BPL category expanding beneficiary cover from 87 lakh to 157 lakh; Rs. 3,443 crore being allocated in 2008-09 as against Rs.2,392 crore in 2007-08.

Direct Taxes

For a senior citizens, the threshold limit increased from Rs.195,000 to Rs.225,000.

Senior Citizen Saving Scheme 2004 and the Post Office Time Deposit Account added to the basket of saving instruments under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Additional deduction of Rs.15,000 allowed under Section 80D to an individual paying medical insurance premium for his/her parent or parents.


Income Tax Act to be amended to provide that reverse mortgage would not amount to "transfer"; and the stream of revenue received by the senior citizen would not be "income".


It has to be seen if all this is implemented and benefits ALL - Rich and Poor Elders.

I would like people to discuss and deabte on this topic,and show their support or concern with the cause of Elderly to the finance minister of India.

Also this initiative by Government should be supported by the corporate sector by including Elder Care in their CSR.

Every Elder is Special

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.